Method of preparing stereotype plates

ABSTRACT

A lubricating process for treating machines and tools comprising lubricating parts of the machine or tools with a film of lecithin containing material.

UiteStates Patent 1191 1111 3,708,869

Anderson 1 51 Jan. 9, 1973 54] METHOD OF PREPARING 3,134,794 5/1964 Myers ..26( 4o3 T R TY P A E 3,165,567 1/1965 Olson ..249/114 3,181,206 5/1964 Hagney ..249/1 14 [761 Invent: Balm] Anderson, 2054 3,224,883 12 1965 Pader et a1. ..260/403 99 p 1 Moumam 3,359,201 12/1967 Eichberg .260 403 VleW, Cahf- 3,447,588 6/1969 Niskouskikh.... "2491114 2] Filed: Dec. 29 19 9 3,529,325 7 9/1970 Dugg'ins .249 14 [21] Appl' 888,888 Primary ExaminerMilton S. Mehr 1 Assistant ExaminerD0nald P. Rooney [52] US. Cl ..29/527.6, 29/DIG. 5, 1l7/5.3, Att0rneyJack M. Wiseman and Thomas E. Schatzel 117/167, 164/2, 164/72, 249/114, 260/403 [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 17/00 [58] Field of se c 1 29 527.5, 527. 527.3, 526.3, 1571 ABSTRACT D 527-3; 260/403? 249/114; A lubricating process for treating machines and tools 117/53 1671 161? 72/42 comprising lubricating parts of the machine or tools 0 with a film of lecithin containing material. [56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, N0 Drawings 2,401,018 5/1946 Reilly ....249/] 14 1 METHOD F PREPARING STEREOTYPE PLATES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process for lubricating tools and machines in industrial use. The invention has been found to have particular application in stereotype in casting plates for printing presses commonly used for newspaper and commercial printing.

Stereotype plates for printing presses are commonly cast in casting boxes by pouring a hot molten metal comprising a formula containing lead, tin and antimony with lead being the basic ingredient and tin and antimony in lesser quantity percentages. The poured material is allowed to set and harden in the casting box and then removed, while still relatively hot. After removal from the casting box, the stereotype plates are trimmed and shaved by saws, knives or other hewing implements. Heretofore, difficulties have been encountered with the plates sticking in the casting boxes and with the plates sticking when attempts are made to slide or move the plates to other machines in the stereotype operation.

Various attempts have been taken to overcome the problem of sticking in the casting boxes, to the hewing implements and to other machines. For example, commercial petroleum lubricants such as heat resistant oils, penetrating oils and regular lubricating oils have been used. Though some degree of success has been realized from these commercial lubricants, the lubricants have been found to have a relatively short life. Further, when the molten metal, which is generally poured at a temperature in the order of 600F, is poured and contacts the. lubricants, the lubricants burn off generating obnoxious odors and smoke. Such odors and smoke tend to be detrimental to the health of the stereotyper or plate maker. Other approaches to the problem include use of graphites, waxes and silicones. Graphites and oil combinations have been found not only to provide a noxiousodor and smoke but to also be relatively unclean. Though silicones have been. found to be of slightly longer life than petroleum lubricants and to generate noxious odors and smoke to a lesser degree, they-have been found to be relatively more costly for the printing industry. Also, in casting plates, it is essential that the amount of lubricant be limited. If too much lubricant is used on the machine, such as the casting box, a breakdown of the underside of the platemay result due to the porosity. When the plate'is put on the press, the plate may not print where the excess lubricant has been used.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention employs a lubricating process for machinery and tools which process has proven to overcome the short comings of those processes heretofore discussed in preparing printing 7 plates. The machinery, such as the casting box, is-coated with a film of lubricating product including lecithin which is a vegetable soybean derivative. Lecithin is an odorless non-toxic substance having desired spreading effects. Chemically, lecithin is a mixture of lecithin and ce%halin.

D SCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been found for preparing sterotype plates. Casting boxes are coated with a layer of lecithin lubricant. For example, the lubricant is commonly available in a pressurized container which, when released, provides an aerosol spray containing lecithin. The machine is sprayed with the lubricant to provide a thin layer or coating about the areas adapted to contact the molten metal. The casting box is closed and the molten metal is then poured. The poured metal is then allowed to set in the normal way and when hardened is removed from the casting box. The lecithin appears to form a durable shield which is not readily absorbed by the molten metal or burned off by the extreme heat.

The printing plates, once removed from the casting box, and while still hot relative to the atmosphere may then be trimmed with hewing implements. For example, edges may be sawed to trim the periphery to a desired shape and the underside surfaces shaved with shaving knives to the proper height or thickness for printing as known in the art. Prior to the sawing and shaving, the cutting blades of the saws and shaving knives are coated with the lecithin lubricant.

The above described method has been found to facilitate removal of the plates from the casting box with little or no sticking. Also, moving and sliding of the plates after removal from the casting box and while relatively hot may be done with minimum sticking. Casting machines coatedwith the lecithin lubricant have been found to work more freely and approximately 4-5 times longer than when coated with commercial petroleum products and 2-3 times longer than when coated with silicone products. Further, there is reduced visual smoke and reduced odor.

I claim: a

1 A method of preparing stereotype plates comprising the steps of:

coating a film of lecithin material over surfaces of a casting box for casting a stereotype plate of metals of the group comprising lead, tin and antimony; and

pouring molten metal of a desired composition over said coatedsurfaces. 2. The method of claim 1 in whic the lecithin material is applied by spraying an aerosol spray of lecithin containing material over the surfaces.

3. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of coating the cutting blade of a'tool with a film of lecithin material, and cutting the plate with said tool.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the lecithin material is applied by' spraying lecithin containing material over the surfaces. 

2. The method of claim 1 in which the lecithin material is applied by spraying an aerosol spray of lecithin containing material over the surfaces.
 3. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of coating the cutting blade of a tool with a film of lecithin material, and cutting the plate with said tool.
 4. The method of claim 1 in which the lecithin material is applied by spraying lecithin containing material over the surfaces. 